Thompson Reuters Eikon South Pole Expedition

In December 2011 a three man team will set out from Patriot Hills in a specially prepared polar 4x4 vehicle with the aim of beating the current Guinness World Record of 2 days, 21 hours and 21 minutes and become the fastest overland journey to the South Pole.

Press communiqué says that this team also is doing this motor trip to mark the 100 year anniversary of the first successful attempt by Roald Amundsen. Is it the best way to commemorate such an historic and heroic feat? Explorapoles doesn't think so...

Anyhow this expedition remains a polar voyage and as such we have listed it as any other expedition.

Excerpts of their press communiqué : "... Why are we doing this? Partly this is about challenge – we’re trying to beat the overland world-record to the South Pole. It is also about testing and proving greener technologies for Polar exploration. There are many major research projects being undertaken at the South Pole station over the next couple of years, and all of these would benefit from a cheaper alternative for travel. However, vehicles are not at the forefront of technology.

We’re pushing the limits of what technology can do – the Thomson Reuters Polar Vehicle is a specially-built bio-fuelled vehicle that uses half the fuel of similar vehicles. We’re using solar panels to reduce carbon footprint further and the very latest in real-time GPS Satellite communications and tracking. Antarctica is at the cutting edge of everything, from survival equipment to research materials and scientific equipment, due to the need for survival in its harsh conditions.

This is about continually pushing the boundaries – this time seeing and proving what is possible with green fuels and the latest technology. With the introduction of our cutting-edge bio-fuelled vehicle, we have the opportunity to fundamentally change this, and we might even break a record along the way. ..."